Evaluate the importance of Harun al-Rashid to the development of science and philosophy during the Golden Age of Islam.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the importance of Harun al-Rashid in the stated context, weighing up the strengths and limitations of his contributions. Candidates may refer to his foundation of the House of Wisdom, his economic support of scholarship and his enthusiasm for innovation. Limitations of his importance may encompass the general support enjoyed by scholarship in the Islamic world, the importation of knowledge from conquered areas such as India, Egypt and Iran, as well as the political unity of the Islamic world and the ease of communication. Other individuals such as al-Ma’mun may be mentioned to provide context to the importance of Harun al-Rashid; however, the focus of the response must remain on him. Both science and philosophy must be referred to but there does not have to be an equal emphasis on each.